Quote:
Originally Posted by Villages PL
You know how loss of smell can be an early sign of Alzheimer's but not all "loss of smell" indicates a person will develop Alzheimer's. Forgetfulness and confusion can be an early sign but it doesn't always mean the person has Alzheimer's. One symptom by itself doesn't mean that much but if they can put many symptoms together, it might be more meaningful.
How about personality traits? I've known people who get upset or even angry if you cause them to think about something they are not accustomed to thinking about. It's as if "thinking hurts" and they get mad at you if you make them do it.
Could this be an early sign of Alzheimer's?
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All of the above, if truth be told, as I've had first hand experience in caring for my mother full time from her early eighties until age 91 when she passed. Believe me, no one prepares you for that "end stage" .
Mom actually moved up to be near us at age 62, from N.J. to VT. but remained very independent until my stepfather passed; we soon learned he was the "other half of her brain". Spouses often "cover" for the person, who takes guidance from the one without the alzheimers/dementia.
LATER ON, although her primary physician , whose specialty was geriatrics, informed me that he could not successfully administer the cognitive test to her in his office (because she was severely demented with alzheimers; his words exactly), at home with us she still had her social skills at age 80. She knew all of our names & of course remembered her youth, her parents, siblings, as the long term memory remains intact.
Some, who were formerly meek & passive, become belligerent.
Those who were feisty & outgoing may become meek & passive.
The theory that those who exercise & stay physically fit do not get alzheimers, is not true.
She was very active physically & still got it. In the nursing home Alzheimer wing, were retired Air Force guys, strong & physically fit, tall & imposing......ornery as can be; frustrated with their dementia. There were school teaches, engineers, lawyers, plus people from every walk of life. Nurses would tell us that some were previous athletes. It doesn't matter. My mother lived ten years after diagnosis but probably had it earlier......
.........IF ONE COUNTS HER LOSS OF SENSE OF SMELL...........
She would always tell me about that. She was afraid she would not be able to smell the gas. She never had gas up here in Vermont.
Her internist told me, after extensive testing following being put on Aricept which caused dizziness......."We've done every test in the book; for her age, your mother is extremely healthy, all of her organs are healthy, etc." He's a neighbor of ours & was actually amazed at what excellent condition she was in for (by now) mid 80's.
As I've said before......I'll say again.....it is the "LONG GOODBYE".
Getting lost (whether on foot or in the car) is another sign.
Forgetting appointments , or else going every day to your hairdresser appointment (as my mom did) was a tipoff....but I still was not thinking Alzheimers when her hairdresser told me those facts , closing with "Your momma is confused".
Once, my husband was driving to the bank when he saw my mom walking away from the church (she had assumed it was Sunday, but it was not). She asked him NOT to tell me. The Senior Center gals said she "knew she was confused" but hid it well. Actually, until my stepfather passed, he covered for her, & she was fine in social settings.
However, unbeknown to us, until he passed......her refrigerator told another story with dozens of EXPIRED containers. One clue is just looking in their frig. I learned that it was very common.
We gave her so many calendars; they all disappeared.
She kept losing her purse (it was behind the sofa or in the trash).
She loved to watch Lawrence Welk but didn't know how to turn on the t.v.
All of her beloved African Violet plants just disappeared.
I had her for supper every day, sending her back with a lunch for the next day........finally we realized it would be easier for her to live with us once we moved.
She became relaxed once I became her primary caregiver. She was just "relieved" NOT TO HAVE TO THINK ANYMORE, NOR MAKE DECISIONS. She retained a cheerful personality.
All of our neighbors commented on how agile she was, walking "like a teenager", quickly and surely. My mom always was a walker...........her entire life.
When we moved to Venice, Fl. (which had been the plan prior to my stepdad passing) we obviously had to bring my mom along, closing down her home as well as ours.
We were 49 years old; our kids had all graduated college, married, moved out of state........
BUT WE HAD A NEW BABY. She actually traveled well, but got confused in the condo as the "bedrooms were not upstairs". She couldn't turn a sink on (as they were modern).
One thing, she was always appreciative of having us there. She, at least, stopped the night time wandering. However, the stress of not knowing what was to come next, convinced us to return to Vermont and our support system & hers. The nurses/social workers at the senior center said that my mom was different in that "she knows she is confused".......WHILE OTHERS ARE IN DENIAL.
I kept her at home with us for many years until it was either her or me going to a community care home, followed by a skilled nursing Alzheimers wing.
All I can say is that those in the field, caring for these patients, are angels of mercy. I feel blessed she never fell down our stairs as we have three levels in this split.
Every morning I was afraid I'd wake up to her at the lower level, fallen.
She had Sundowner's Syndrome, so she wandered all night long.
She also "saved" her b.m.'s as a gift for me each morning, lining them up on the bathtub edge. ** During the day people told me, "Your mom is fine"......again, many retain their social skills at least in the first stage....or middle stage. ** Or in her pillow case.
She passed peacefully, with comfort care (palliative care) on morphine injections pretty close together, after her nursing home doctor (another friend of ours) warned me she could no longer swallow, not even water.......it's what happens at the end.
After her passing, I would wake up each night feeling extreme thirst, just imagining what it was like to have water withheld.
For those who acknowledge that the soul exists, as does a spiritual realm/afterlife........to comfort me, she came frequently, in dream form, looking young and healthy and happy. It was a blessing to me. I knew she was finally O.K. She appeared for about a year or more........than those visitations tapered off. She had passed on My Italian DAD'S B.DAY and her Ukrainian mom's death date
The Stages of Alzheimer's Disease
It can be confusing not knowing what to look for when your loved one shows possible symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, especially because it can affect everyone differently. Some people may not have every symptom, while for others, their symptoms may occur at different times. Since Alzheimer's disease can last as long as 20 years, it can be helpful to look at it in terms of stages. Knowing the stages can help give you a general idea of what to expect and how to provide care.
Unfortunately, Alzheimer's disease may bring about changes in your family member's overall functioning. Scroll down to find information about the changes you might expect at the mild and moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease and some suggested steps you can take to cope with these changes.
Mild Stage Alzheimer's Disease
Most people at this stage can still manage many of their daily activities themselves, but they may need some assistance or support to stay organized.
Possible Changes:
Having trouble carrying out tasks that require multiple steps, like following a recipe
Getting lost, even in familiar places
Having difficulty performing some household chores
Avoiding social situations
Having trouble remembering appointments, people's names, or things that happened recently
Steps the Caregiver Can Take:
Ask a trusted friend or family member to help manage your loved one's money
Write reminders to your loved one in the same place, such as a calendar or notepad, to look at often
Keep a list near the telephone of the names and telephone numbers of family and friends, along with their photos
Put labels or pictures on cabinets, drawers, and closets so that things can be found easily
Encourage your loved one to talk about his or her feelings with friends, family, clergy, or other professionals
Consider enrolling your loved one in adult education, recreation, or fitness classes to stay physically and mentally alive
Moderate Stage Alzheimer's Disease
People at this stage may have more trouble taking care of themselves, but they can still be involved in their daily care and follow a comfortable routine.
Possible Changes:
Needing help to take a bath or shower, choose clothing, or get dressed
Needing help setting a table or getting out of a chair
Developing sloppy table manners
Feeling restless or wandering, especially in the late afternoon or evening
Getting suspicious, angry, or easily upset
Having trouble recognizing family members
Having difficulty expressing oneself and understanding others
Steps the Caregiver Can Take:
Encourage your loved one to stay involved in things he or she enjoys doing, even if for shorter periods of time
Help your loved one share his or her memories with family members by telling stories or creating a scrapbook
Speak calmly and clearly – show what you mean as you say it by making sure you have your loved one's attention
Plan for exercise and other physical activity during the day to promote sleep at night
Research community resources to provide help, such as home healthcare agencies or adult day centers
Is It Just Old Age or Is It Alzheimer's Disease?
How do you know if it is Alzheimer's disease? As people get older it's common for them to forget things. But at what point is misplacing your car keys considered old age or something worse? Old age can often result in memory loss, whereas Alzheimer's disease can cause loss of cognition, which includes things like memory, understanding, communication, and reasoning.
Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms. Here is a checklist of common symptoms to help recognize the warning signs of Alzheimer's disease:
Memory Loss and Alzheimer's Disease
Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of Alzheimer's disease. A person begins to forget more often and is unable to recall the information later.
What's Normal Aging? Forgetting names or appointments occasionally.
Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks Because It Could Be Alzheimer's Disease
People with Alzheimer's disease often find it hard to plan or complete everyday tasks. Individuals may lose track of the steps needed to prepare a meal, place a telephone call, or play a game.
What's Normal Aging? Occasionally forgetting why you came into a room or what you planned to say.
Problems with Language May Be a Sign of Alzheimer's Disease
People with Alzheimer's disease often forget simple words or substitute unusual words, making their speech or writing hard to understand. They may not be able to find the toothbrush, for example, and instead ask for "that thing for my mouth."
What's Normal Aging? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
Disorientation to Time and Place Due to Alzheimer's Disease
People with Alzheimer's disease can become lost in their own neighborhoods, forget where they are and how they got there, and not know how to get back home.
What's Normal Aging? Forgetting the day of the week or where you were going.
Poor or Decreased Judgment Due to Alzheimer's Disease
Those with Alzheimer's disease may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers on a warm day, or little clothing in the cold. They may show poor judgment about money, like giving away large sums to telemarketers.
What's Normal Aging? Making a questionable or debatable decision from time to time.
Problems with Abstract Thinking–Is It Alzheimer's Disease?
Someone with Alzheimer's disease may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks, like forgetting what numbers are and how they should be used.
What's Normal Aging? Finding it challenging to balance a checkbook.
Misplacing Things–a Sign of Alzheimer's Disease
A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places: an iron might go in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl.
What's Normal Aging? Misplacing keys or a wallet temporarily.
Changes in Mood or Behavior in Alzheimer's Disease Patients
Someone with Alzheimer's disease may show rapid mood swings – from calm to tears to anger – for no apparent reason.
What's Normal Aging? Occasionally feeling sad or moody.
Changes in Personality Due to Alzheimer's Disease
The personalities of people with Alzheimer's disease can change dramatically. They may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful, or dependent on a family member.
What's Normal Aging? People's personalities do change somewhat with age.
Loss of Initiative Due to Alzheimer's Disease
A person with Alzheimer's disease may become very passive, sitting in front of the TV for hours, sleeping more than usual, or not wanting to do usual activities.
What's Normal Aging? Sometimes feeling weary of work or social obligations.